Shloka 89
अम्बा–राम–भीष्म संवादः
Amba–Rama–Bhishma Dialogue on Vow and Refuge
“बेटा! तू ऐसा आग्रह न कर। राजन! विप्रवर जमदग्निनन्दन परशुरामके साथ समरभूमिमें युद्ध करनेका हठ अच्छा नहीं है।' ऐसा कहकर वे डाँट बताने लगीं ।।
bāla! tvaṁ tādṛśam āgrahaṁ mā kṛthāḥ. rājan! vipravara jamadagninandana-paraśurāmeṇa saha samarabhūmau yuddhaṁ kartum haṭho na śreyaḥ. iti uktvā te tāṁs tarjanīṁ darśayām āsuḥ. kiṁ nu vai kṣatriya-hantā hara-tulya-parākramaḥ, viditaḥ putra rāmas te, yatas taṁ yoddhum icchasi? ante te punar ūcuḥ—bāla! kṣatriya-hantā paraśurāmo mahādeva-samo parākrameṇa. kiṁ tvaṁ na taṁ jānāsi, yo ’sya saha yuddham icchasi?
Bhishma said: “My child, do not persist in such insistence. O king, it is not wise to be obstinate about fighting on the battlefield with Parashurama, the foremost of brahmins, the son of Jamadagni.” Having said this, they reproved him sternly. Then they added: “My son, do you not know Rama (Parashurama)—the slayer of kshatriyas—whose prowess is equal to Hara (Shiva)? How can you wish to fight him?”
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
Heroism without discernment becomes arrogance. The counsel urges restraint: a kshatriya should not pursue battle out of stubborn pride, especially against a spiritually empowered and renowned warrior like Parashurama; dharma includes knowing when not to fight.
Bhishma reports a warning given to a king/warrior who is intent on fighting Parashurama. The speaker(s) admonish him not to insist on such a duel, emphasizing Parashurama’s fearsome reputation as a kshatriya-slayer and his Shiva-like prowess.